WAPPA Updates

As mentioned in my update last Friday, I would like to congratulate Niel Smith on his election to the position of WAPPA President for the next three years. Niel brings with him great experience and knowledge to take our Association forward over the next three years.

The WAPPA Board election window remains open until 4pm tomorrow afternoon. Those members still to vote will receive their final reminder email tomorrow morning.

I trust that you had time to enjoy the recent holiday break and are now refreshed, ready for the last Term of 2021. As always, it will be a busy Term and before we know it, Christmas will be upon us!

As we draw towards the end of Term 3, I am once again reminded of just how lucky we are here in Western Australia compared to our colleagues in other states. We held our successful conference, sports carnivals are taking place across the state, as are the various music festivals, and for the most part, education is continuing for all.

Term 4 is flying by with so many things happening in schools and at WAPPA. It is times like this that we need to reflect and create a Stop Doing List as the great leadership author Jim Collins stated in Good to Great. Once you do this you can focus on things of the greatest importance and have the most impact.

I hope you have had a safe and restful holiday break and a smooth start to Term 3.

It has been wonderful to join the WAPPA Business Centre team in my new role as Manager, Member Services for the remainder of this year.

As the end of the year gets increasingly closer, now is the time that many of you are looking to plan your professional learning calendar for 2022. We are excited to release WAPPA's Signature Professional Learning calendar for 2022 in this week’s newsletter. WAPPA's Signature PL can also be delivered to your school, Chapter, Collegial Group or Network. So, please contact me for a quote to tailor to your needs.

Term 4 marks the coming to an end of the 2021 school year with a major focus for us at WAPPA on planning for 2022. This focus aligns with the current Noongar season of Kambarang and its themes of awakening.

I hope that busy Term 3 has been treating you well and with the sunshine promised by Djilba becoming more regular, it renews and re-energises.  I have enjoyed my new journey to work, driving slowly past Lake Monger and seeing the glassy waters reflected back and watching nature in motion. I have had a wonderful start to my role of Manager, Professional Learning at WAPPA, being welcomed by the amazing Business Centre team, Board, and Members. 

“How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked. 
“Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually, then suddenly.”

As a member, when was the last time you reflected on WAPPA’s values and what they mean to you both as a member of the Association and in the performance of your duties as a school leader? 

I am not sure I really want to hear again, nor say, the terms to describe this year as being challenging or different or even unprecedented. I was chatting with someone the other day about (according to Mark Twain) there only being two certainties in life - death and taxes. However, we joked that now we can include change as a third element.

The WAPPA Wellbeing Committee, as part of their work, has developed a Wellbeing Mantra. The committee encourages you to print the mantra and place it somewhere prominent in your office where you can refer to it regularly. This version of the mantra is designed for you to use in your schools.

Welcome to The Playbook. The Playbook is a newsletter focused on Learning and Leadership. Every four weeks we bring you an update of upcoming Professional Learning and some Leadership Inspiration.

Welcome to The Playbook. The Playbook is a newsletter focused on Learning and Leadership. Every four weeks we bring you an update of upcoming Professional Learning and some Leadership Inspiration.

Welcome to The Playbook. The Playbook is a newsletter focused on Learning and Leadership. Every four weeks we bring you an update of upcoming professional learning and some leadership inspiration.

Often when we think about Leadership Development we focus on courses, programs or learning that is delivered by a third party.